Seeking Eternal Treasures: Living in Christ's Identity
Summary
Today’s worship centered on the call to seek the things that are above, not the fleeting treasures of this world. Drawing from Colossians 3 and Jesus’ parable in Luke 12, we reflected on the difference between storing up treasures on earth and being rich toward God. The world constantly tempts us to measure our lives by possessions, status, and fleeting pleasures, but Christ calls us to a different way—a life rooted in our baptismal identity, shaped by the gospel, and nourished by the gifts of Word and Sacrament.
We considered how, in baptism, God has already accomplished everything necessary for our salvation. Like gold sifted from worthless dirt, we are made alive in Christ, not by our own efforts, but by God’s gracious work. This new life is not about following rules or striving for spiritual experiences, but about living as those who have been raised with Christ. Our response is to set our hearts and minds on heavenly things, to walk in daily repentance, and to let our lives be a thankful offering for all God has done.
The Lord’s Supper was highlighted as a foretaste of the heavenly feast, a gift to be longed for and prepared for, not just a routine. We were challenged to examine what truly occupies our hearts—whether we are distracted by earthly matters or drawn to the eternal gifts God freely gives. The parable of the rich fool warns us against the idolatry of wealth and possessions, reminding us that all we have is a gift from God, meant to be used in service to others and for the sake of his kingdom.
Paul’s exhortation in Colossians is not a burdensome list of rules, but a call to put to death the old self—sexual immorality, impurity, evil desires, covetousness, and idolatry—and to live as those who are forgiven and made new. Even as we struggle with sin, we are invited to look honestly at ourselves in the mirror of God’s law, confess our failings, and lean on his saving grace. Our lives, hidden with Christ in God, are to be marked by generosity, humility, and a longing for the things above, knowing that our true treasure is found in Christ alone.
Key Takeaways
- Baptismal Identity and God’s Initiative: Our new life in Christ is entirely God’s work. Just as gold is sifted from dirt, God takes what is dead and worthless and makes it alive and precious through baptism. This means our worth and salvation are not based on our efforts, but on God’s gracious action for us, freeing us from the need to prove ourselves or earn his favor. [32:34]
- The Lord’s Supper as a Foretaste of Heaven: The Lord’s Supper is not merely a ritual, but a weekly anticipation of the eternal feast to come. We are called to approach it with longing and preparation, recognizing that in this meal, God gives us a tangible taste of eternal life and forgiveness, inviting us to set our hearts on what truly lasts. [35:28]
- The Danger of Earthly Idolatry: The pursuit of wealth, possessions, and worldly pleasures can subtly become idolatry, drawing our hearts away from God. While material blessings are gifts from the Lord, they are meant to be used in service to others and for his kingdom, not hoarded or worshiped as ends in themselves. [41:45]
- Daily Repentance and the Death of the Old Self: The Christian life is a continual putting to death of the old nature—our sinful desires, pride, and self-centeredness. This is not a one-time event, but a daily turning away from the ways of the world and a turning toward Christ, empowered by his forgiveness and the Spirit’s renewing work. [37:09]
- Honest Self-Examination and Leaning on Grace: We are called to look honestly at ourselves in the mirror of God’s law, acknowledging our sins and failures without fear. God’s desire is not to punish, but to forgive, cleanse, and renew us, so that our lives become a thankful response to his mercy and a witness to his transforming love. [44:07]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:44] - Announcements and Email List
[06:49] - Pew Cushion Program Update
[07:55] - Church App and Technology
[09:51] - Introduction to Worship and Hymn
[13:04] - Confession and Absolution
[14:32] - Psalm and Liturgy
[15:44] - Choir and Prayer
[25:02] - Hymn and Gospel Reading
[28:23] - Parable of the Rich Fool
[31:08] - Gold Rush Analogy and Baptism
[32:34] - Raised with Christ: Gospel Foundation
[33:46] - The Lord’s Supper: Anticipation and Preparation
[35:28] - The Foretaste of the Feast to Come
[36:19] - Seek the Things Above
[37:09] - Putting to Death the Old Nature
[39:05] - Sexual Immorality and Worldly Temptations
[40:48] - Money, Possessions, and Idolatry
[41:45] - Vanity and the Way of the Flesh
[42:59] - Honest Self-Examination and God’s Law
[44:07] - Grace, Repentance, and New Life
[46:19] - Prayers for the Church and the World
[48:42] - Offering and Thanksgiving
[50:04] - Communion Liturgy
[52:09] - The Lord’s Prayer and Words of Institution
[01:05:41] - Closing Prayers and Benediction
[01:08:32] - Departing Hymn and Dismissal
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Seeking the Things Above”
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### Bible Reading
Colossians 3:1-11 (ESV)
> If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
>
> Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Luke 12:13-21 (ESV) – The Parable of the Rich Fool
> Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Colossians 3, what does Paul say has happened to believers through baptism, and what does he urge them to do as a result?
2. According to the parable in Luke 12, what was the rich man’s mistake, and how did God respond to him?
3. The sermon compared God’s work in us to gold being sifted from dirt. What does this analogy say about our worth and how we are made alive in Christ? ([31:08])
4. What are some of the “earthly things” Paul lists that believers are to put to death?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says our new life in Christ is entirely God’s work, not our own efforts. How does this truth affect the way a Christian views their worth and salvation? ([32:34])
2. Why do you think Jesus warns so strongly against covetousness and storing up treasures for ourselves? What does it mean to be “rich toward God”? ([28:23])
3. The Lord’s Supper was described as a “foretaste of heaven” and not just a routine. How might this change the way someone approaches communion? ([35:28])
4. Paul calls believers to “put to death” the old self daily. What does daily repentance look like in practical terms, and why is it necessary? ([37:09])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenged us to examine what truly occupies our hearts. What are some specific “earthly things” (possessions, status, pleasures) that tend to distract you from seeking the things above? How can you begin to shift your focus this week? ([36:19])
2. The parable of the rich fool warns against the idolatry of wealth. Are there ways you have been tempted to “store up treasures” for yourself rather than being generous or serving others? What is one step you can take to be more “rich toward God” this month? ([41:45])
3. The Lord’s Supper was described as something to be longed for and prepared for. How do you usually approach communion? Is there a way you could prepare your heart differently before receiving it next time? ([35:28])
4. The sermon said that in baptism, God has already accomplished everything necessary for your salvation. Do you ever feel pressure to “prove yourself” to God or others? How can you rest more fully in your baptismal identity? ([32:34])
5. Paul calls us to daily repentance and honest self-examination. What is one area of your life where you need to confess and lean on God’s grace this week? ([44:07])
6. The sermon mentioned that all we have is a gift from God, meant to be used in service to others. Is there a resource (time, money, skill) you have been holding back that you could use to bless someone else? ([40:48])
7. The Christian life is described as a thankful offering for all God has done. What is one practical way you can express thankfulness to God in your daily routine this week? ([37:09])
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